Presentation Group C NURS 440 Ferris State University Fall, 2014 Ashley Cruz Lindsey Durga Christie...
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Presentation Group C NURS 440 Ferris State University Fall, 2014 Ashley Cruz Lindsey Durga Christie Kleinert Valrey Llewlaka DOES THE USE OF PRAYER OR MEDITATION IMPROVE A CLIENT’S PHYSICAL HEALTH AND/OR MENTAL HEALTH?
Presentation Group C NURS 440 Ferris State University Fall, 2014 Ashley Cruz Lindsey Durga Christie Kleinert Valrey Llewlaka DOES THE USE OF PRAYER OR
Presentation Group C NURS 440 Ferris State University Fall,
2014 Ashley Cruz Lindsey Durga Christie Kleinert Valrey Llewlaka
DOES THE USE OF PRAYER OR MEDITATION IMPROVE A CLIENTS PHYSICAL
HEALTH AND/OR MENTAL HEALTH?
Slide 3
Religious traditions and rituals across the world display
belief that prayer plays a major role in healing (Andrade &
Radhakrishnan, 2009). Meditation has been shown to result in
psychological and biological changes that are actually associated
with improved health. Meditation has been found to: Produce a
significant reduction in resting as well as ambulatory blood
pressure Reduce heart rate, to result in cardiorespiratory
synchronization Alter levels of melatonin and serotonin Suppress
corticostriatal glutamatergic neurotransmission Boost the immune
response Reduce stress and promote positive mood states Reduce
anxiety and pain and enhance self-esteem Have a favorable influence
on overall and spiritual quality of life in late-stage disease.
DOES THE USE OF PRAYER OR MEDITATION IMPROVE A CLIENTS PHYSICAL
HEALTH AND/OR MENTAL HEALTH?
Slide 4
Spiritual meditation has been found to be superior to secular
meditation and relaxation in terms of decrease in anxiety and
improvement in positive mood, spiritual health, spiritual
experiences and tolerance to pain (Andrade & Radhakrishnan,
2009, para. 4). A large volume of research shows that people who
are more R/S [religious or spiritual] have better mental health and
adapt more quickly to health problems compared to those who are
less R/S. These possible benefits to mental health and wellbeing
have physiological consequences that impact physical health, affect
the risk of disease, and influence response to treatment
(University of Minnesota, 2014, para. 7). DOES THE USE OF PRAYER OR
MEDITATION IMPROVE A CLIENTS PHYSICAL HEALTH AND/OR MENTAL
HEALTH?
Slide 5
Prayer and meditation can significantly impact a patients
spiritual and health outcomes near the end of life. helping another
person to die with a peaceful, positive state of mind is one of the
greatest acts of kindness we can offer (Hayagriva Buddhist Center,
n.d., para.1). With that being said we must help with their:
Physical needs Emotional needs Spiritual needs When the mind and
body become synchronized perceptions begins to change a sense of
appreciation and beauty arise, you start to see beauty in places
where you never saw it before. DOES THE USE OF PRAYER OR MEDITATION
IMPROVE A CLIENTS PHYSICAL HEALTH AND/OR MENTAL HEALTH?
Slide 6
Most of us prior to this class have had no previous in depth
education in regards to spirituality and the benefits to the
nursing practice itself. Throughout this course we have learned
that prayer provides a much more powerful avenue that we originally
believed. With the draw of a new century, spirituality has received
increased coverage in the media and more discussion in the
workplace, politics, and education (Young & Koopsen, 2011, p.
3). Spirituality has also become more apparent in health care, with
increasing evidence that spiritual factors are important components
of health and well-being (Young and Koopsen, 2011, pp. 3-4). With
that being said we chose to dive further into the scientific
evidence and research on the actual and/or potential benefits both
prayer and meditation provide in regards to a patients physical
and/or mental health. With a greater knowledge on spirituality we
can improve our own clinical practice and be able to provide
greater overall care to each and every patient we encounter during
our nursing careers. Nursing has always been concerned with the
health care of the whole person, including the physical,
psychological, social, cultural, environmental, and spiritual
dimensions (Young & Koopsen, 2011, p. 7). OUR INTERESTS AND
REASONS FOR CHOOSING SUCH A TOPIC
Slide 7
Prayer is as simple or as complicated as we make it. Prayers
are not the prerogative or province of Christianity. Most religions
offer up prayers of some sort to their deities or divine beings. In
essence, prayers are a means of communicating with a spiritual
being even if this is the divine within (Spiritual Healing For You,
2013). There are reasons why religion can Influence coping. These
are logical, rational: It provides a positive, optimistic world
view; provides meaning and purpose to life; helps people to
psychologically integrate negative things; gives people hope;
enhances their motivation; personally empowers them and gives them
a sense of control (Butler, 2003). WHAT IS PRAYER?
Slide 8
What is Spirituality? Spirituality is described as neither
tangible nor material, with the spirit representing the essential
nature of a person. Spirituality is thought to pertain to the
ultimate meaning and purpose of life. There may be a heightened
awareness of and concern for such matters when a person is ill or
facing death (Hart, 2007). What is Meditation? Meditation uses
relaxation techniques and other means to help us go beyond our
current conscious and unrealistic state of being. By accessing the
mind, we can determine the true reality. We can train the mind to
understand the significance of life and living (Spiritual Healing
For You, 2013). SPIRITUALITY V.S. MEDITATION
Slide 9
Spirituality can mean different things to different
populations. People generally turn to spirituality to guide them in
times of uncertainty. Spirituality can be: Something that gives
meaning or purpose to your life. A set of values or principles to
live by. Belief in a higher power. Recognition of powers beyond the
natural and logical. Accepting that some things have no easy answer
and so must be left to a higher power. Caring about or loving other
people (GetHealthyHarlem, 2011). SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Slide 10
Meditation has been proved to lower walking and resting blood
pressure Decrease heart rate Alter levels of melatonin and
serotonin Boost the immune system Reduce stress and promote a
positive mood Reduce anxiety and pain Increase self esteem Corliss
discusses recent studies that show how one can use mediation to
calm themselves and decrease stress levels by focusing on their
breathing and using relaxation techniques. People who meditate tend
to have more balance in their lives and cope with stressful
situations in a healthy manner (Corliss, 2014 ) PRAYER IS A FORM OF
MEDITATION
Slide 11
Stress causes health issues such as high blood pressure and
heart disease. If we can decrease levels of stress, we can improve
patient overall health. For many, chronic stress is the number one
factor contributing to high medical expenses. Stress reduction may
help reduce these costs. (Nauert, 2011). Other studies, including
randomized clinical trials, indicate the TM technique can improve
physical and mental health, decrease tobacco use, reduce substance
abuse, and decrease other unhealthy habits and risk factors that
lead to chronic disease and costly treatments (Nauert, 2011). SO
HOW CAN MEDITATION HELP IN HEALTHCARE?
Slide 12
Prayer In a study of 219 infertile woman between the ages of
26-46 who underwent in vitro found that woman who were prayed for
had nearly twice the pregnancy rate opposed to those who were not
prayed for. In another study involving primate species animals that
were prayed for had decreased wound sizes and greater improvement
than the other animals. Absence of Prayer A study conducted of
people with cardiovascular disease or patients that were considered
high risk found that there wasnt a significant difference of those
who prayed (25%) vs not prayed (29%) after discharge in
re-admittance In a group of patients who were having open heart
surgery, complications occurred in 52% of patients who received
prayer and 51% of those who did not. OUTCOMES OF PRAYER VERSE
NON-PRAYER
Slide 13
Hospitalized people who never attended church have an average
stay of three times longer than people who attended regularly.
Heart patients were 14 times more likely to die following surgery
if they did not participate in a religion. Elderly people who never
or rarely attended church had a stroke rate double that of people
who attended regularly. In Israel, religious people had a 40% lower
death rate from cardiovascular disease and cancer. People who are
more religious tend to become depressed less often. And when they
do become depressed, they recover more quickly from depression A
prayer group is a support group where people pray for you and you
pray for others. DO PEOPLE WHO PRAY LIVE LONGER LIVES THAN THOSE
WHO DO NOT?
Slide 14
This article examines the reasons why we need to address
spiritual healing in patients. There are thoughts that when a
persons energy is no longer balanced they will also begin to
experience medical issues. Pritz claims, as meditation and prayer
exist in all faiths, inviting such disciplines into a healing
regimen is not unfeasible. Given the interrelationship of body,
mind, and spirit, modern healthcare would benefit by judiciously
incorporating spiritual practices alongside traditional procedures
(2014). Pritz also discusses how people need to have something to
believe in, but prayer alone will not heal a patient. Some patients
simply need hope and belief in something bigger to help keep them
at peace. (Pritz, 2014 ) SPIRITUAL HEALING: THE VALUE OF MEDITATION
& PRAYER IN HEALTHCARE
Slide 15
Potential Benefits of Prayer and Meditation include: Creating
an emotionally safe environment Reduced substance use and abuse
Reduction in blood pressure Reduced heart rate Improved immune
response Reduced anxiety, stress, and pain Increased social support
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Slide 16
SPIRIT Model: Spiritual belief system Personal spirituality
Integration/Involvement in a spiritual community Ritualized
practices and restrictions Implications for care Terminal events
planning (advanced directives) FICA Model: Faith or beliefs
Importance and influence Community Address IMPLICATIONS FOR
PRACTICE
Slide 17
HOPE Model: Hope, meaning, comfort, strength, peace, love,
connection Organized religion Personal spirituality and practice
Effects on care/end-of-life-issues 7x7 Model for Spiritual
Assessment: Holistic Dimension:Spiritual Dimension: 1. Medicala)
Beliefs and meaning 2. Psychologicalb) Vocation and consequences 3.
Psychosocialc) Experience and emotion 4. Family Systemd) Courage
and growth 5. Ethnic and Culturale) Ritual and practice 6. Societal
issuesf) Community 7. Spiritual g) Authority and guidance
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Slide 18
Interventions include: Awareness of personal beliefs and values
Know beliefs and practices of various spiritual groups Provide
spiritual care as a priority Be available and listen without
judgment Provide accurate information to patient Allow patient to
discuss spiritual and other concerns Offer to contact patients
spiritual leader or support person Offer to pray / meditate / read
with the patient Help patient create sacred space / environment
Help patient meet needs of religious / spiritual practices
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Slide 19
CONCLUSION Health and religion have always gone hand in hand.
People who were prayed for, either by family, friends or a
religious group had better health outcomes than those who were not
prayed for. Science cannot validate spiritual beliefs, and
spiritual beliefs cannot validate science The notion that prayer,
divine intervention or the ministrations of an individual healer
can cure illness has been popular throughout history
Slide 20
Andrade, C., & Radhakrishnan, R. (2009). Prayer and
healing: A medical and scientific perspective on randomized
controlled trials. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 51(4), 247-253.
doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.58288 Butler, S., Koenig, H., Puchalski, C.,
Cohen, C., & Sloan, R. (2003). Is Prayer Good for Your Health?
A Critique of the Scientific Research. Retrieved from
http://www.heritage.org/research/lecture/is-prayer-good-for-your-health-a-critique-of-
the-scientific-research Carpenito, L. J. (2002). Nursing diagnosis:
Application to clinical practice. Lippincott, Williams, &
Williams: Philadelphia, PA. Corliss, J. (2014). Mindfulness
meditation may ease anxiety, mental stress. Retrieved from
http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mindfulness-meditation-may-ease-anxiety-mental-stress-201401086967
Daameron, C. M. (2005). Spiritual assessment made easy: With
acronyms! JCN, 22(1) Davis, J. (2014, November 11). Can Prayer
Heal? Retrieved from
http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/can-prayer- heal?page=3 Get
Healthy Harlem. (2011). Did you know...spirituality, prayer and
meditation can reduce stress? Retrieved from
http://www.gethealthyharlem.org/articles/did-you-knowspirituality-prayer-and-meditation-can-reduce-stress
Hart, J. (2007). Spirituality and Healing. Retrieved from
www.beliefnet.com/healthandhealing/getcontent.aspx?cid=13619
Hayagriva Buddhist Centre. (n.d.). How to help the very sick and
dying. Retrieved from http://hayagriva.org.au/?page_id=13
REFERENCES
Slide 21
REFERENCES, CONTINUED Nauert, R. (2011). Meditation Can Reduce
Health Care Costs. Retrieved from
http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/09/13/meditation-can-reduce-health-care-costs/29373.html
Priester, P. E., Scherer, J., Steinfeldt, J. A., Jana-Masri, A.,
Jashinsky, T., Jones, J. E., & Vang, C. (2009). The frequency
of prayer, meditation and holistic interventions in addictions
treatment: A national survey. Pastoral Psychol, 58, 315-322. DOI:
10.1007/s11089-009-0196-8 Pritz, A. (2014). Spiritual Healing: The
Value of Meditation & Prayer in Healthcare. Retrieved from
http://awake-in-
life.com/spiritual-healing-the-value-of-meditation-prayer-in-healthcare/
Spiritual Healing For You. (2013). What is Meditation Prayer?
Retrieved from http://www.spiritual-healing-for-
you.com/meditation-prayer.html University of Minnesota. (2014).
Prayer: What is prayer? Retrieved from
http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-
healing-practices/prayer Weinstein, F., Bemstein, A., Kapenstein,
T., & Penn, E. (2014). Spirituality assessments and
interventions in pain medicine. Practical Pain Management, 14(5),
1-3. Retrieved from
http://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/treatments/psychological/spirituality-assessments-interventions-pain-
medicine Young, C. & Koopsen, C. (2011). Spirituality, health,
and healing: An integrative approach. (2nd ed). Sudbury, MA: Jones
and Bartlett Publishers